Calgary police investigate suspected overdose with possible ecstasy link

Police in Calgary are again investigating a potential drug overdose that could be linked to ecstasy.

Around 7 a.m. Sunday, authorities were called to a home for reports of a man in cardiac arrest. The man, in his late 30s, was found dead on arrival, said EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux.

“There was information that he had ingested ecstasy,” he said, noting it is believed the man may have also taken other drugs.

Two bystanders — a man in his mid-30s and a woman in her early 50s — were transported to hospital for treatment due to concerns they may have taken the same drugs.

Police said they are investigating the death.

“We believe there was some drug usage, but we cannot confirm what drug,” said Calgary police duty inspector Darren Cave.

There have been at least half a dozen deaths in Calgary and another five in B.C. linked to a spate of deaths from a toxic chemical being found in ecstasy pills.

It’s believed the pills are being laced with paramethoxymethamepetamine (PMMA), which is five times more toxic than ordinary ecstasy, or MDMA.

Sunday’s death came as police warned the public that two Edmonton women ended up in a Calgary hospital after taking ecstasy.

The women, both in their early 20s, were found in a downtown Calgary hotel room at about 6:35 a.m. Saturday by police.

One woman was unconscious and taken to Foothills Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition and placed in intensive car.

Late Saturday night, her condition improved and was listed as serious, but stable.

“We expect her to make a full recovery,” Cave told the Calgary Herald Sunday afternoon.

The second woman, who also showed signs of drug use, was admitted and later released.

Both patients are from the Edmonton area and had been visiting Calgary for the weekend.

Police continue to investigate, but have already determined both women had voluntarily consumed ecstasy they purchased in Calgary.